It’s 9:42 am, and I am sitting at Caffe Di Rienzo, a caffè latte in hand, with a perfect view of Emanuele’s newsstand, known in Rome as an Edicola. The surrounding neighborhood buildings cast a shadow over the forest-green walls of the small octagonal structure. The morning is quiet, interrupted only by the low hum of cars and scooters, the whispers of passersby, and the occasional honk of an impatient driver.

As I watch people come and go, I notice Emanuele’s stand being used as a backdrop for photos and temporary shelter from the sun, as if it’s just another prop amidst the cobblestone streets and towering buildings. Have these stands become mere “landmarks” for tourists? Have we forgotten their history, or are we simply culturally unaware?